A traffic crash led to the arrest of a Winn Parish man on felony drug charges, according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright. NPSO Patrol Operations Bureau deputies responded to NATCOM 911 Center reports of a possible single-vehicle crash on Jan. 5 around 12:52 pm on Hwy. 6, just East of Hwy. 486 near Clarence.
Deputies arrived on scene finding a 2021 Kia passenger car parked in a church parking that appeared to have been involved in a traffic crash. Deputies identified the driver of the vehicle as 64-year-old Rory K. Gates of Winnfield.
According to witnesses, Gates was traveling eastbound on La. Hwy 6 when he exited the road on the left. He continued to travel off the roadway through a tree line. Gates then attempted to get back onto the roadway crossed over Hwy. 6 then stopped in a church parking lot. Deputies say while speaking with Gates, he appeared upset stating that he must have dozed off while traveling from Texarkana to Winnfield.
Deputies observed drug paraphernalia in plain view in the vehicle. A NLETS computer check revealed Gates was on parole due to a prior narcotics conviction.
During a search of Gates person and the vehicle, deputies discovered and seized:
*Approximately 2.2 ounces of suspected crack cocaine
*Approximately 7.8 grams of suspected methamphetamine
*Approximately 3 grams of suspected marijuana
*A digital weighing scale and baggies commonly used to store illegal narcotics
As a result:
Rory K. Gates, 64, of Winnfield, La. was placed under arrest, transported and booked into LaSalle Corrections/Natchitoches Detention Center charged with Reckless Operation of a Vehicle, Possession of CDS I Marijuana, Possession of CDS Schedule II Crack Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of CDS Schedule II Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Gates remains in LaSalle Corrections Center. The seized evidence will be submitted to the crime lab for analysis. Involved in the arrest were: Sgt. D. Caballero assisted by Deputy B. Phelps. Deputies also completed a report in connection to the crash.
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